Product Details

• Actors: Rowan Atkinson, Tony Robinson, Miranda Richardson, Stephen Fry, Hugh Laurie
• Directors: Richard Boden
• Writers: Ben Elton, Charles Dickens, Richard Curtis
• Producers: John Lloyd
• Format: Color, HiFi Sound, NTSC
• Rated: NR (Not Rated)
• Number of tapes: 1
• Studio: 20th Century Fox
• VHS Release Date: August 9, 1995
• Run Time: 43 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (25 customer reviews)
• ASIN: 6302541735
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #176,217 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Among the many films and TV shows that add a new twist to Charles Dickens's classic tale, Blackadder's Christmas Carol is the most ingenious. It was made between Blackadder the Third (1987) and Blackadder Goes Forth (1989), and its inspired concept is to recast the self-serving Edmund Blackadder (Rowen Atkinson) not as Dickens's misanthropic miser but as the most kindhearted man in England. Tony Robinson's Baldrick is as moronic as ever, while Robbie Coltrane plays the Spirit of Christmas like a forerunner to his Hagrid in the Harry Potter movies, showing Edmund visions of past and future to not quite the desired effect. Hugh Laurie returns as the Prince Regent from Blackadder the Third, and the entire court from Blackadder II (1986) is reassembled for japes involving a merry seasonal death warrant. Miranda Richardson is outrageously capricious as Elizabeth I, then takes the character a stage further in a decadent space-opera future that also sees Patsy (Nursie) Byrne as an android. Though not quiet as laugh-out-loud funny as the regular Blackadder series, this is an excellent Yuletide special. --Gary S. Dalkin

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Blackadder Scores Again!, December 10, 1999

By 

Ed Maxell - See all my reviews

This review is from: Black Adder - Christmas Carol [VHS] (VHS Tape)

In this touching tale inspired by Dickens' classic "A Christmas Carol," Blackadder is the kindest and most generous man in all of England...until he realizes that bad guys have all the fun.

Perhaps Ebeneezer Blackadder would have been successful as one of the series, since his character shines with the aura of comedy possessed by his ancestors. Baldrick is still with him and as dumb as ever.

Also returning is the brain-the-size-of-a-walnut Prince of Wales, Queenie, Percy, Lord Melchett, and a very revealing Baldrick of the future (Along with a neo-nursie and some others).

Co-starring Robbie Coltrane as the very funny ghost of Christmas Past, Present, and Future, Rowan Atkinson's Ebeneezer is right up there with Simms, Scott, and Stewart...that is, if he can survive the kraut-prince and Queen piglet.

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars If you are a Black Adder fan, just get it, June 14, 2000

By 

A. Maxham "Just trying to help..." - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Black Adder - Christmas Carol [VHS] (VHS Tape)

If you are even looking at this info about this videotape, my guess is that you fall into one of three categories:

First, you may be looking for versions of a Christmas Carol. If you are one of these people, and don't know doodly squat about Black Adder, I'd recommend hitting the "Back" button right now and clicking on something else that stars Alastair Sim or (my preference) George C. Scott. This is NOT what you want.

Second, you are a Blackadder fan and either are looking around for Blackadder stuff, or looking specifically for this tape. If so, just buy the damn thing. It's funny as heck (although I didnt like the future bit too much, but that's okay) and it's typical, classic Blackadder. You are probably just reading these reviews to make sure it's consistent with the others- it is. Hit One-click.

Third- perhaps this tape was recc'd to you by Amazon because you bought something else that suggests you'll like this. IF you like the smart, sarcastic, sharp (and sometimes mean) British sense of humor (Maybe some Red Dwarf or Fawlty Towers), again I say- just buy the damn thing. But get all the other Blackadders while you are at it.

To be honest with you, this tape is actually really refreshing at Christmas time- all that cheer and goodwill towards men- it cleanses the palate to have one hour of Blackadder.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A merry, messy Christmas!, December 7, 2001

By 

"melanie436" (Hampton, VA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Black Adder - Christmas Carol [VHS] (VHS Tape)

What can I say, this is a completely brilliant lampoon of the classic Christmas story. The only ones who will not like it are those lacking in a sense of humor. If you have a sense of humor, please go and watch this immediately:) You will love it.